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International Literacy Day celebrated in Uganda with a focus on multilingual education and social cohesion
UNESCO supported Uganda in marking International Literacy Day (ILD) 2024 with a Civil Society Organization-led two-day hybrid bootcamp and a national symposium, emphasizing the fundamental role of multilingual education in fostering social cohesion and economic transformation. The contextualized theme for the national celebration in Uganda, “Promoting Multilingual Education and Literacy for Cohesion and Socio-Economic Transformation,” reflected Uganda’s unique cultural diversity (with up to 43 languages spoken) and the need to bridge linguistic divides for sustainable development.
On September 5th - 6th, a pre-event Literacy Bootcamp was held at the American Centre in Kampala attended by over 149 total participants, with 85 online and 64 in-person stakeholders, including students, educators, community leaders, and literacy advocates from various parts of Uganda. The event created an inclusive platform for discussions on the significance of multilingual literacy in Uganda, exploring how it can promote socio-economic transformation by bridging social and cultural divides while empowering individuals. Some key activities realized during the boot camp were interactive workshops, skill-building activities, and group discussions.
The National Literacy Symposium was held on September 12th at the Office of the President in Kampala, officially opened by the Minister for Gender, Labour, and Social Development, Hon. Betty Amongi. In her address delivered by Mr. Benard Mujuni, Commissioner for Rights and Equity, Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development. The Minister underscored the government’s commitment to improving literacy rates in Uganda and the importance of multilingual education in unifying the nation. “Literacy is not just about the ability to read and write. It is about empowering individuals and communities to participate fully in society, and in Uganda’s context, multilingual education plays a critical role in bringing together diverse ethnic groups, promoting mutual understanding, and driving economic transformation,” she noted.
Mr. Charles Draecabo, National Senior Projects Officer delivered a remark on behalf of UNESCO and the UN Agencies. He also used the occasion to deliver a Message from Ms. Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of International Literacy Day. “We (UNESCO) firmly believe that education is not just a fundamental human right but also a cornerstone of a just and equitable society. Today, our mission extends beyond basic literacy; we are focusing on the vital role of multilingual education in building more inclusive societies,” Draecabo remarked.
The keynote address delivered by Prof. Willy Ngaaka from Kyambogo University set the stage for a panel discussion featuring experts from the education sector, government representatives, and civil society organizations. The panelists explored how multilingual education can drive social cohesion and foster economic development, particularly in Uganda’s multilingual society, where over 40 languages are spoken. The discussion centered on how incorporating local languages into the education system can enhance learning outcomes, reduce school dropouts, and improve access to education for marginalized communities.
Call to Action
The Literacy Day symposium concluded with several key recommendations targeting various stakeholders to advance literacy and multilingual education in Uganda. These recommendations included the need to strengthen policies that promote the use of local languages alongside English in education, foster inclusivity and cultural understanding, enhance teacher training, increase funding for Literacy Programs, and community literacy engagement. The symposium also advocated for raising of public awareness of the importance of literacy in national development.
Communities and families should take pride in their local languages and should promote and transmit it instead of demonizing them.
Literacy is not just about the ability to read and write. It is about empowering individuals and communities to participate fully in society,
